Chapter 51: Caldera’s Edge

Chapter 51: Caldera’s Edge

The minimap pinged. Three kilometers to the Caldera’s golden pulse, and the ten constructs still held their ring at exactly two kilometers behind the party. Unmoving. Twelve hours now. The air was dead, no wind or thermal lift, just the pull.

Eloy stood at the ridge line, weight on his good ankle. The other one throbbed a dull, distant complaint. He tabbed through the HUD overlay. Topographic wireframe rippled across his vision. The switchback trail cut a long, looping scar down the eastern face. Safe. Predictable. Three hours of descent.

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